It was impossible, of course.
But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming?
— Chapter 2

The end of wondering, he thought, but not of wonder. That was just beginning. He was certain of it.
— Chapter 15

This is not a one sitting book, at least not for me.Not because it is stale or hard to read or anything, but simply because it is filled with a language that demands to be appreciated, to be savoured, to be absorbed. This also doesn’t mean that one sitting reads aren’t beautifully written, just ... I can’t really explain it. Anyway, so far this hasn’t been the action laden adventure, but I’m only about a third into the story and there has already been enough drama and intrigue to more than make up for it. There is quite a bit of unfairness that is heartbreaking to read and to imagine.
As an avowed language-nerd I love the words Laini Taylor invents. There are words in foreign languages that express a complete complex concept or feeling and I always find them extremely fascinating. Like the Welsh word cynefin, which has no direct English translation. And the idea that there is for example a god so petty who if the offerings aren’t adequate grants your heart’s deepest wish to someone else, possibly your very nemesis. Wouldn’t that be horrible and awesome (in every sense of the word)?
Laini Taylor is a master wordsmith and I can’t wait to see where her magic will take me next. At the moment I’m in the middle of a hostile desert with fantastic, horrific beasts. And on the way to a fearsome, foreign city with a mythical problem and mysterious inhabitants. It’s a wonderfully exciting adventure.

Do you know a foreign word that has no known translation but which expresses a whole sentence in one word? Share loved words and teasers in the comments.

Ever since, I had lived in terror, wondering when and how the spirit of the Styx would punish me. Perhaps, instead of a grand moment of retribution, it would be a slow death by a thousand insults. How often could a music god hear that he had a decent voice before he crumbled into a self-loathing pile of dust?
— Chapter 15

Remember how I said that I miss Percy Jackson? While that is still true I won’t deny and his that a certain former god and his (not always happy about it) friends are also very dear to me. But then again, Rick Riordan could quite possibly write about the mating habits of sea cucumbers and make it an adventure ... as you may recall I’m a history and mythology nerd (gasp now I’m telling you) and easily amused by ouns and clever allusions. Case in point was my discovery of the software “Nero burning ROM” (about a hundred years ago) ... it took ages for my poor friend to decipher my giggle fit.
Anyway, what’s with the ostriches on that cover you might ask and rightfully so, but I must tell you that these combat ostriches are not to be trifled with. Nor is their ... master, I suppose. But then again whenever this historical figure is mentioned I picture Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator and suddenly think that maybe we was just misunderstood. For a while and then he went off the deep end so basically what is also told about him here. Might be some truth in that.
Special love, of course, for the haikus. And several other things that I can’t really get into unless I spoil the series and we really wouldn’t want that. I think there’s a little too much monster vaporising (very sensitive word for the fighting business), but I’m possibly also looking at this askepct a tad too much at the moment due to some other ongoing discussions.

How sensitive are you to descriptions of fights in books? Do you try to avoid them or would you say they don’t really affect you? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!

‘I don’t think it was that bad ...’
The tone of her voice doesn’t do anything to reassure me.
— Chapter 3

Finally, I hear the sound I’ve been waiting for. The flapping of wings in the sky.
‘Oh my god, what is that?’ asks Anita, her head tilted up to the sky.
‘You don’t want to know,’ I say.
— Chapter 52

This series is so cute! Fluff and sugar, a fun quick read with humour and witty dialogue. And not at all vapid or senseless. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the first book in this series, so I knew that I could expect an entertaining read with this added level of adventure and criminological puzzles. And the stakes are even higher in this second book. I especially love that we’re getting to see a little more of this fantastical world and I enjoyed the exploration aspect. While second books are in danger of suffering from a sort of bad patch within a series this one nicely managed to maintain the first book’s quality.
The first book had a slight cliffhanger, but this one? Let’s just say that there definitely needs to be a next book and I would very much like to have it sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe Sam and Zain will finally be able to go on their normal date?

Can you name a second book in a series that was exactly right and didn’t suffer sequel syndrome? Share well-made continuations of first books you enjoyed and your teasers in the comments!

“It’s rather remarkable, you know, the resemblance between the two of you. Uncanny, even.”
“Yeah, I didn’t miss the folks in the hall who crossed themselves when they saw me.
— Chapter 7

“My mother met that woman and they both survived it?”
One corner of his mouth twitched, and the parts of her that were still raw, and awkward – and, worse – unsure, eased. “I never said they emerged unscathed.”
— Chapter 8

I was a little afraid of this book simply because its precursor casts such a huge shadow and immediately occupied a spot on my favourite books of 2016 list ... in the first week of January. For several reasons I wasn’t able to read this second and final book upon its publication, but now I feel that it was well worth to wait for uninterrupted reading time, because this is a one sitting read.
At the same time this story is everything I hoped it would be while also not being at all what I expected. Without spoiling the first book let’s just say that I was happy to find the same voices and humour and beloved characters (and also new ones) while I had to get over certain people not sharing much page time.
Time travel books often have the problem that at one point I find the paradox that would mean nothing of all that happens should be possible. Alexandra Bracken has (as far as I’m concerned) managed to construct a solid rule set for her time travellers. At least I’m not expecting the characters to implode at any given moment, which cannot be said for a lot of other books in this genre. And she has chosen places to visit that are not the typical destination when you are able to go back in time. A neat double of books. I’m happy for the characters but at the same time sad to have to let them go. Safe travels, everyone.

Can you think of a book that was at the same time everything you wanted and also not at all what you expected? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!

Now, in modern times, we have a word for this sort of behavior. We call it psycho.
Back then, the rules of behavior were a lot looser. Maybe you’ll feel better about your own relatives, knowing that the first family in creation was also the first dysfunctional family.
— Chapter 1

Sisyphus’s problem was that he didn’t want to die.
I can relate to that. I wake up every morning and think: You know what would be good today? Not dying.
— Chapter 9

Today is the publication date of the next Rick Riordan Demigod book featuring Apollo. Time, I thought to brush up on my knowledge of Greek mythology. And once again I realise how much I actually miss Percy and the gang. Yes, Rick Riordan captures the voices of all his protagonists in a unique and entertaining way and I enjoy them a lot, but Percy was the first and I reserve the right to miss him and Annabeth and hope for more than just glimpses of them.
Anyway, this is a perfectly fine overview of the major Olympian pantheon with the tongue in cheek tone that is to be expected when this author is involved. If you’re already well-versed in Greek mythology, this book will not provide you with anything new, but that should not deter you if Percy’s voice is your thing. A perfect companion to the series. And the illustrations are a perfect fit. Seriously, picking the right illustrator for a story can make or break a book and here it is definitely the former.
Can I just say that the voices of accusing Riordan of milking a cash cow here are decidedly fewer than with other authors with multiple books in the same universe ... could it be because he is not a woman? Which is sort of funny if you read the book and discover the underlying narrative of feminism throughout the book. If you like writing in the same universe and there are readers for it (or even if there are not) by all means go for it!

Do you pay attention to the criticisms of your favourite authors or do you (try to) ignore it? Share your habits and teasers in the comments.